Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-10
SANTA BARBARA.
The Attractions of a California Town CIev
erIy Portrayed.

y AZ
erly Portrayed.
From where Kate sat she could see
toward the west, the vast eXpanse of
the Pacific The boat had but little
motion. Scores of sea gulls followed
the ship, and in the distance were
white sail boats. Beyond the line of
hills following the coast were the
higher peaks of the Sierras. Some of
these were capped with snow, and
about all the dark blue slopes hung
filmy haze. Here and there appeared
a cottage or two, or flock of sheep
could be seen feeding on the steep hill
sides. Kate tried to read aloud, but
no one paid attention, and so she aban-
doned her book.
'.It's all too beautiful to be neg
more glorious colorings nor breathed
such delicious air. What is the name
of the range we see ahead of us?"
That's the Santa Ynez," replied
Goodnow. cit runs nearly due east
and west, and forms the northern
boundary of the Santa Barbara Val
ley. Southern California is covered
with net work of these minor ranges.
They run in every conceivable direc-
ton, and form an infinite variety OF
valleys. You will know the Santa
Ynez mountains thoroughly before
leaving Santa Barbara. Everybody
visits them, and they are one of the at
fractions of the place. Not every re-
sort has the sea and mountains to-
gether."
Itwas we'll into the evening before the
red light at the end of the Santa Bar
bara wharf was seen. The mountains
made long dark marks against the
starlit heavens, and the light was in
visible until the steamer was within
two miles of where it shone out over
the waters of the harbor. Nearing the
wharf, where there could now be seen
the dim outlines of waiting hacks and
a long storehouse, the wharf bell rang
out a welcome to the new arrivals, and
the cannon which was discharged from
the bow of the boat sent thunder-like
echoes rolling along the hill sides. II
was novel landing. No other ships
were at the wharf, and the town was
still hidden from view, since the dock
extends for nearly mile out into deep
water. In half an hour the tired trav-
elers were safely domiciled at the Ar
lington, large home-like hotel, in
which every Santa Barbarian takes
| much pride. Wood fires were burn.
| ing bri ghtly in open fre-places, and
| the wide veranda surrounding the
hotel was filled with promenaders. who
| eyed the strangers with that air of SUI
| perior wisdom and experience always
worn by those who happen to be ones
| predecessors in a new place by a fort
| night or less. Supper was being
served, and after it our friends sought
their beds-Anna tired out. Reginald
reioiced that she could now rest, Edith
quiet and satisfied, Kate anxious for
daylight, and Goodnow happy to be
| once more in the American Mentone.
The morning sun flooding the valley
sent a stray beam into Hates room,
and walked that heavy sleeper into the
| full consciousness that she had new
world to conquer. Drawing aside the
curtain. she looked out upon the town.
| Beyond the few house tops and trees
| which lined the long street leading to
| the wharf she could see the ocean, and
in another direction the Santa Yne2
| range. Between the mountains and
the sea, and occupying a long narrow
| valley, lay the town of Santa Barbara,
quiet, listless little village, its face
turned southwark, and its cottages
surrounded by trees. The birds were
holding carnival of song that morn
ing, and the air was filled with the
perfume of flowers. High up the
mountain side the grass was green and
velvety, and the low hills that separ-
ated Il part of the town from the bay
| were covered with rank grass. Kate
had seen many an Italian village, and
knew Naples thoroughly, but as she
looked down on Santa Barbara she
thought it prettier than any place she
had ever seen. you can't describe
it," she wrote home that first day
at suggests other places, but ha:
charms peculiar to itself. Here is the
last Of December, and yet the weather
is exactly like that of June at home.
The town is full of people. I'm glad /
have both summer and winter dresses.
| need the light ones during the day,
and the others at evening. Mr.. Good
now has made many plans for Us. He
is delighted to get back, and this morn
/ ing half dozen picturesque old Next
cans called to see him. He speaks
Spanish, and SO these men like him.
Anna is so happy; and so is Reginald. .
l-Edwdrds Roberts, IN Harper's MagA-
zine.